Walker to tour drought-stricken areas

Associated Press

Updated: Jul 19, 2012 2:13 PM

MADISON (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker plans to tour drought-stricken parts of Wisconsin on Friday.

Walker plans to meet with legislative leaders, agency officials and others about the drought during the tour that will take him to a farm in Burlington and one in Dodgeville.

The tour comes after Walker on Wednesday expanded a drought emergency declaration statewide. The U.S. Drought Monitor on Thursday also upgraded the drought from severe to extreme across southern Wisconsin.

Walker says the increase in wildfires because of the hot weather and lack of rain is adding to the risk of "major economic losses, especially in agriculture."

Walker has directed Wisconsin Emergency Management to coordinate state efforts in response to the drought. It also directs all state agencies to assist in the response and recovery.

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